How to Start
There are no prerequisites for practising yoga - yoga is for everyone, whether you are young or older, fit or unfit, stiff or flexible. Beginners can enrol in the Introduction to Yoga Course, or attend a Vinyasa class. If you would like to learn Ashtanga Yoga you are in the right place. The Yoga Space is owned by Dr Jean Byrne and Rob Schutze, two of a handful of Australians Authorised to teach Ashtanga Yoga by Pattahi Jois of the Ashtanga Yoga Institute, Mysore, India. Practicing Ashtanga at The Yoga Space you will discover the amazing physical and mental / emotional benefits of being taught in the traditional manner. To start your Ashtanga practice you will need to book into an Ashtanga beginners course, beginners intensive or the morning Mysore prgram taught by Jean & Rob.
What will I learn?
You will learn the fundamentals of the practice of Ashtanga Yoga as taught to us by our teacher, Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. You will learn:
- The dynamic Surya Namaskara (sun salute) sequence, which links yoga postures and conscious breathing to create a meditative flow.
- The beginnings of the primary series of Ashtanga Yoga, which is designed to detoxify the body through a profuse sweat.
- The heating and cleansing breathing practice specific to Ashtanga Yoga (ujjayi pranayama).
- The stabilising internal muscular locks (bandhas) which help us to balance strength with flexibility in the body and to create stability in the abdomen and lower back.
- The gaze points (drishtis) for each posture which provide a point of awareness and focus throughout the practice to aid concentration and mental stillness.
All Ashtanga Beginners Courses have a maximum of 20 students to ensure everyone gets personalised attention.
What are the benefits?
The primary series of Ashtanga Yoga is called yoga chikitsa, or yoga therapy, because in Ashtanga Yoga the body and nervous system are purified by a profuse, detoxifying sweat. Ongoing practice of Ashtanga Yoga can lead to increased flexibility, strength, balance, concentration, relaxation and self-awareness.
How do I start?
- Enrol in a six week Ashtanga Beginners Course
- Enrol in a two week Beginners Intensive (Mon, Wed & Fri mornings)
- With prior notice attend an Ashtanga Mysore class (5 mornings a week) and learn in the traditional way
See the Course Dates page for Beginners Course Start Dates